Thursday, May 27, 2010

Pentecost

Ever since I can remember, my parents (and, by extention, my sisters and I) meet with their friends from waaaaaaaaaay back (like when they had been with the Scouts) on the Pentecost weekend in a house they rent somewhere in Switzerland.

Over the years the houses got more luxerious, but other than that the meet up has not much changed over the year. There are trips to places nearby, hikes depending on the willingness and stamina of the hikers and on Sunday we have a picknick. There's also always a cheese fondue one evening *yummy*

I couldn't go for several years, either because I was away some place else on vacation, or I had to work. But, as my vacation plans this year fell through, and I didn't fly to the US after all, I asked if there was a spare bed.

Our house this year was at the North-East corner of the Lake Constance, just where Germany, Austria and Switzerland meet up. The place is called 'Sonneblick' and we had one fantastic view over the lake and the surrounding land.

We had seriously perfect weather. Not a drop of rain all weekend and so much sun, I didn't get just one sunburn, but at least three (front, neck and left ankle)




On Monday we made a round trip first taking the post bus, then the train, then a ship and back up home by rack railway (I hope this translation is correct)
The train we took had open sides, which was brilliant and loads of fun.


I just couldn't resist taking pictures of the sheep grazing close to the house. Little yarn balls (okay, not much yarn on them right now, but it will grow back)

On my way back on Tuesday, I made a stop in Ulm, taking pictures in the Münster. I was playing with the settings of my camera and am quite happy with the outcome.


Sunday, May 16, 2010

Needle and Thread

For a change I saw (sewed?) a little bit last week. My sewing machine is not the best in the world (okay, it was a super cheap one, so I shouldn't be too surprised), but I managed to beat it into submission to make that:


It's about 30cm long and perfect for one smallish knitting project.
The one above was actually the test run for the pattern. I've made another one, but forgot to take a picture before giving it away as a birthday present for a friend. It was the cutest cat pattern fabric and I've been looking forever for a pattern to make something from it.

I tested the usability of the bag for knitting projects on a lace scarf I knitted last week (test was very successful)

The shawl is made for a Japanese yarn called Ito Kinu and is 100% silk. I've bought it in a lovely little yarn shop here in Frankfurt called Maschen.Werke. I spent a delightful hour there last week talking with the owner and, naturally, leaving some of my money there in exchange for yarn.
The scarf pattern is from the book 'Victorian Lace Today' and I really enjoyed making it. The finished product is also very lovely.

Some finished socks


It's a pair and I'm wearing them right now. The yarn is some I've bought in Sweden in February.

I've also working on another pair of socks right now, which is the pattern 'Sam' from the CookieA book 'Sock Innovations'


I was already halfway down the foot, then I noticed that I crossed one cable the wrong way. This is one of those things nobody else would ever see, but I knew I couldn't live with it. So I ripped out quite a bit and am now back on the leg. I don't really mind - more knitting fun for the buck - but those cables are not really relaxed knitting, I tell you.

Finally, I've started with my next cardigan project, which is the Featherweight Cardigan from Hannah Fetting in Knit Picks Shadow.


Mostly nice, relaxing, mindless knitting.
A lot of it!

Sunday, May 09, 2010

Flowers (for Mother's Day)

Last month I've had the 15th anniversary in my company and besides three extra days for this year vacation time, I've got a nice voucher, which I've used to upgrade my camera equipment. I've bought myself a Nikon D5000 DSLR camera.

As I'm on vacation the next three weeks (*bounce, bounce, bounce*) I'm sure to have plenty of chances to play around with my new toy.

As a start I focused (*haha*) on the two orchid flowers I have. I don't know exactly why, but even though I don't tread them any special (like orchids are supposed to be treaded), they are both already on their second flower cycle and have been for several weeks now.


(I particularly like the one on top)

I'm still working on figuring out all those buttons and I'm sure it will be a while until I'm really proficient, but it's a start.

Sunday, May 02, 2010

Catching Up

I didn't update much on my projects lately, so today one big getting-up-to-date post.

My finished Mondo pullover. At one points it was finished, but I found the hip part was too wide, so I did rip everything up to just underneath the arms and knitted it again with some decreases instead of increases. I'm rather happy with it and did wear it twice already.

(I know, I'm looking crumpy in that picture, but it is not that easy to take a picture of yourself in a mirror without blocking up most of what you wanna show)

The required update on Queen Nefertiti:

I just hit the midway point (except, I haven't stitched any of the metallics yet, as I'm going to keep that for last), so I'm sort of halfway done, but not really.

Entralac mini-bags:
Those where the other stuff in the bucket when I've felted last week. Very, very happy with them and possibly will do more. They've been fun to knit and fun to felt.
Originally, I've made three, but one (in browns and white) has been given to a friend together with the last shawlett I've made (Traveling Woman)


And, finally, what I'm working on now - the Ditto cardigan:
Done on the body and one (short) arm.